Process for producing expanded metal.



V 1 I r l F by 'W J. E. DOBSON & G. KBL.

PROCESS FOB. PRODUCING EX ED METAL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11,1912.

1,119,932. P nt-ed Dec.8,1914.

SHEETS-BHEET 1.

INVENTORS 2 9m,

J. E. DOBSON &

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING APPLICATION TILED JUNE ERKEL.

ANDED METAL.

1,1 19,932. Patehted Dec. 8, 1914.

7 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESSES:

11, 191 t ted Dec. 8, 191

7 SHEETS-SHEET J. E. DOBSON &

G. MERKEL.

XPAND Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

T "SHEET J. E. DOBSON & G. MERKEL.

PROCESS FOR rnonncme EXPANDED METAL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11, 1912.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

INVENTORS Wag S,

WITNESSES: @g/W J. E. DOBSON & G. MERKBL.

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING EXPANDED METAL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11, 1912.

1,1 19,932. Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

INVENTORS 0A1 Mm, Evil 1 1 If/army's,

NITED sTArrnsrA'rENT OFFICE.

01 wns'r nonoxmr, NEW

new max, A con- JOHN E. DODSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AND GEORG MERKEL,

JERSEY, ASSIGNOBS TO E. W. BLISS COMPANY, 01' BROOKLYN, POBATION OF WESTVIRGINIA.

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING EXPANDED METAL.

Specification of Letters 2mm. P tented Dec. 8, 1914.

Application filed June 11, 1912. Serial No. 702,881.

To allfw hom it ma concern Be it known that we, JOHN E. DOBSON, in theborough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, and GEORcMERKEL, residing at West Hoboken, 111' the county of Hudson and State ofNew Jersey, both citizens of the United States, have jointly inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Processes for Producing ExpandedMetal, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to a process for the production Of'GIPal'ldGdsheet metal, and 15 particularly use 111 in the production of a fabrichaving expanded portions which are separated b integral unexpanded orplain portions. uch partially expanded sheet may be employed for avariety of purposes,

ing rolls which may be employed in said machine; Fig. 3 illustrates t efirst step in expandlng the metal accordin to our invention, and showsin section ro ls which may be employed to perform such operation, and aportion of the fabric in crosssection; Fig. ,4 illustrates in plan viewthe sheet metal after treatment by the rolls of Fig. 3, and F 1g 5 is aside view thereof; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating thesucceeding residing our invention, and shows in cross-section rollswhich may be em loyed for such operation, and a portion of the fabric incrosssection, and Fig. 7' is a side view of the sheet metal aftertreatment by said rolls. Fig. 8 is a plan view of said sheet metal. Fig.9 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating in such, for instance, as theproduction of studcross-section the final step in expandin the dings,partitions, etc., having, if desired, metal according to our invention,and s ows i d ib f d th i I in cross-section a pair of rolls which mayAlthough the production of expanded be employed for such operation and a$0;- sheet metal has been well developed, it has tion of the fabric incross-section. iga. so far as we are aware, heretofore not been 10 and11 are respectively a side elevation of the fabric illustrated inpossible to produce a sheet wherein a porand a plan view tion onlythereof was expanded and the re- F g. 9. F1 s. 12-15 are v ews similarto mainder was unexpanded, and the expanded Figs. 3 an 6 illustrating incross-section rolls which may be employed should it be desired to formlongitudinal ribs in said fabric, and to force the previously fullyexpanded slitted parts of the sheet from the several planes into whichthey had been forced b expanding the same into one genoral andsubstantially the same plane. Fig. 16 are feed rolls which may beemployed to feed the completed fabric out of the machine. Fig. 17illustrates in plan view a fabric constructed according to our inventionand havin longitudinal ribs therein, and Fig. 18 IS an end elevationthereof; Fig. 19 1S aside elevation of a machine which may well beemployed in manufacturing our product, and Fig. 20 is an end elevationthereof from the left hand end of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 is a detailedlongitudinal section of the right hand end of the machine; Fig. 22 is aplan view of the said parts; Fig. 23 is a detail view of one of theguides in cross-section. Figs. '24 and 25 are etail end and plan viewsrespectively of center gui' es for guiding the partially expanded fabricfrom the rolls of Fig. 6 to those of 9. Fig. 26 is a detail end view ofand center guides'for guiding the part was of regular and uniformoutline. The difliculty in the production of the article describedconsists in the difficulty of expanding the slitted sheet metal evenly,of preventing an undesired flow of the said metal, and in preventing adistortion thereof during the process of forming the expanded part sothat symmetrical and even figures are produced in the expanded part, andin expanding an interior portion of an integral sheet without affectingthe adjoining unexpanded arts.

Our process may be performed by and if desired, or it may be performedon a large variety of machines. We prefer to employ machinery in theperformance of said process, and in the accompanyin drawin s, we haveillustrated machinery invented y us by the use of which the same may beperformed. The said machine is not claimed in this ap lication but isclaimed in a separate a p ication filed December 6, 1912, Serial 0.735,239.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 illustrates in plan view a pieceof sheet metal slitted in places where it is to be expanded and readyfor expanding; Fig. 2 illustrates in detail view feeding and guidstep inexpanding the metal accordingto.

expanded fabric from the rolls of Fig. 12 to those of Fig. 13. Fig. 27lar to Fig. 26, of end and center guides for guiding the expanded fabricfrom the rolls of Fig. 13 to those of Fig. 14. Fig. 28 is across-section on the line 2828, Fig. 19, of end and center guides foridin the expanded fabric from the re] s of ig. 14 to those of Fig. 15.

In accordance with our invention the metal fabric is preferably firstsheared to desired size, and beads are formed therein at determinedpoints and the sheets are then slitted- These operations may be done byhand ormachines may be used. We have not thought it necessary toillustrate said machines, as they are of standard construction and maybe used for the preliminary beading, shearing and slitting of sheets tobe expanded and ribbed by the machine herein described. This slitting ispreferabl formed by cuts in the metal, some of whic are longitudinal andsome of which are transverse cuts, whereby when the metal is separatedit will be found that the figures are dividedone from anotherlongitudinall so that an expansion of the said figures wi 1 cause themto pull away from one another. The slitted portions are arranged inanels or vanes, and the metal between is uns itted, and is the part inwhich the ribs ma be formed if desired. In expanding said slltted metalaccordin to our invention the metal, while firmly he (1, is ex anded atthe slitted parts by. a succession o bending operations, by which a partonly of the slitte metal is bent or expanded at a time. Preferably thissuccessive ex andin operation is broadly, as follows: e first old themetal adjacent the slitted part firmly and then expand the adjacentslitted metal for one or two rows on each side by bending said rows sothat the slitted parts are expanded. We then firmly hold the metal asbefore and by another operation expand another portion of the slittedmetal for one or two rows on both sides by bending down the said'rowsadjacent the previously expanded part. Thereafter the fabric-is againfirmly held while the intermediate slitted portion is expanded by beingbent. Thereby a longitudinal trough-like structure will be producedformed of the expanded parts of the metal with intervening plainportions, and it will be found that the unslitted parts will not haveflowed but will have, as desired, sharp edges. This expanded metalfabric has its expanded portions of substantially V-shape incross-section connected by flat portions. 4

The expanded metal fabric produced by the foregoing successive bendingoperations is then preferabl treated so that. the fully expanded slitteparts of the sheet are forced from the several planes into which theyhad been forced by expanding the same is a view simi-.

1,1 19,oaa

into one general and substantially the same plane. For this purpose aseries of p dies in the form of rollers, of progressively increasingsize, is employed whereby, the

said expanded portion is gradually orced into the desired plane. Duringthis process a series of dies, preferably likewise in the form ofrollers, of progressively increasing size, acting upon the unslittedportion of the sheet, change the unslitted portion of the sheet from aflat sheet in one plane to a U- sha ed rib by the action of the formingdies,

sai rlb extending longitudinally of the unslitted portion. During theformation of said longitudinal ribs, the edges of the unslitted portionof the sheet approach one an other and provide the space which isrequired to accommodate the slitted portion of the sheet when expandedand when accup mg one plane instead of the several planes into which ithas been forced during the process of expansion. The slitted andexpanded portions of the sheets are forced into one lane solely by theaction of the dies whic press the same into said plane. This operationis accomplished without further expansion of said slitted portions thanhas already taken place therein by the forcing of said slitted portionof the sheet into several planes as aforesaid. If desired the ribs maybe further separated, causing a widening of the expanded metal fabric.The fabric illustrated has five longitudinal ribs and four slitted andexpanded portions.

In Fig. 1 the slitted metal for producing the particular configurationof fabric shown in the drawings is illustrated The strip A has plain orunslitted portions B and slitted portions A. The expanded part of thefabric when completed has a series of diamond shaped figures, connectedat their sides and separated at their ends. This is formed, as follows:The slits are preferably formed as illustrated by longitudinal cuts a,which are staggered relatively to one another, and which form the sidesof the frames of the diamonds. A short unslitted space a is left betweenalined cuts a. Transverse cuts a separate the ends of the diamonds. Astrengthening longitudinal rib a, which is left unslitted, issubstantially in the center of the slitted panel A" and is connected tothe slitted figures by connectin portions .11. It will be observed thatthe s its a a produce figures such, for instance, as thefone lettered a,which is connected at its sides to the adjoining figures by connecting(portions a, but disconnected at its ends an all other parts. Theparticular outline of the figures is not material nor the manner offorming the slits. The fabric A comprises a series of broad unslittedparts or bands B in which the ribs P are'form ed, and also a series ofinterniediate or narrow, unslitted bands 0".

Each of the narrow, 'unslitted bands (1" is displaced from the initialplane of the sheet during the process of expansion. On each side ofthese narrow, unslitted bands a are slitted bands, each of whichcomprises seven rows of longitudinal slits a. These slits a are arrangedso that adjacent rows of slits break joints. Transverse slits 11 extendfrom side to side of each slitted band and are located so as to slit thefabric at substantially the middle of the outer row of slits, furnishinga means whereby, when the unslitted hands a are displaced the fabric isopened out. The said strip is preferably treated in accordance with ourinvention in I a machine as illustrated in Fig. 19, which as a whole islettered C, and whereof a detailed description will be hereinaftercontained. The said machine it will be observed, has nine series ofrollers to the action of which the fabric is subjected in the machine.Of these the first are feed rolls, and the second to the eighth,inclusive, are operating rolls. The first series of rollers are rotarymale and female gage rollers D D, as illustrated in Fig. 2, which areformed with male and female guides d (1. These guides enter the guidingribs a. in the fabric A, and hold the sheet in place. Upon the sameshafts with the rolls D D are body rolls E E which serve to feed thefabric to the subsequent rolls and to straighten the same. From here themetal fabric A is fed to the second series of rolls which perform thefirst step in expanding the slitted metal according to our method. Thisoperation is illustrated in Fig. 3, and employs age rolls D D, and alsomale and female ie rolls F F. The

said die rolls F F are provided upon their faces with male and femaledie faces f, f, f, f. The die rollers F F are adjusted to grip theunslitted portion B of the fabric between faces f f adjacentg/ the slitsand hold it against lateral movement. The male die faces f are adaptedto engage the rows (1 (Fig. 1) and to depress the same, therebyexpanding the outer row of diamond shaped figures. Rows a. will then liein the space between the vertical die faces f f. Pressure of die f uponthe part of end portions a which it engages will press the same down andcause the part of said portion a which is enga d by the die f to beforced down upon emale die This will cause the side frame a whichconnects ends a and side portions a to be inclined relatively to saidparts as indicated in Fig. 5. Male die face f will likewise en age suchpart of the slitted portions ofthe abric as is between the rows a, and

will force the samedown to female die face and the side frames 0. whichlie in row a. and connect ends a to sides a, will lie between thevertical die faces f f and will be inclined relative] thereto. v

The action of the dies F F as above exv plained will expand the-outerrow of diamond-shaped figures at each edge of the slittcd part, asindicated in Fig. 5, and this result is accomplished without anydistortion due to a tendency to reduce the dimensions of the strip A asthe metal is expanded. This tendency is revented by the cut a whichpermits the rawing apart of adacent portions a where they are cut a artb the said cut a leaving a space a ig.

The next step in the method is illustrated as performed upon the fabriclikewise by a series of male and female die rolls V V (Fig. 6), whichexpand the next inner row of diamond-shaped figures on each sideadjacent those first expanded. During this step the fabric is heldagainst lateral movement by faces '0 c which engage the unslitted part Band likewise by steps 1) v 'u v on the male and female dies respectivelywhich engage the expanded row. Male die V has faces '0 '0 which engagethe portions a a of the next inner diamond-shaped row of figures on eachside and depress the same against corres onding female die faces 'v 0,thereby sti further expanding the fabric so that two rows ofdiamond-shaped figures appear on each side (Fig. 7). Male and femalegage rolls D D by cooperating with head a. hold the fabric againstlateral movement and keep it in alinement. On its passage from rolls V,V which perform the second expanding operation to the succeed ing rolls,the fabric is preferably guided by center ides which are shown inreduced size in igs. 24 and 25, and consist of longitudinal guidesVwhich have guiding channels V that conform substantially to the shape offemale die V and are adapted to receive the expanded metal fabric afterit leaves the dies V, V, and guide the same to the succeeding rolls. Theides V are adjustably mounted upon a e irons V which are supported onthe mac ine frame. The fabric next passes between the rolls G Gr (Fig.9) for the final expanding step, and here also they will be held bygagerolls D D: The male and female die rolls G Gr have die faces 9 g 91 g gg g gawhich en a the stri at aces correspon in to c v' ii '0 'v '0 'v 1and assist 1n holding the fabric which is also held firmly by faces g onthe male and female dierolls. While the fabric is so held the male diefaces 9, g with which the die G is equipped, by cooperation withcorrespondinfg female die faces, expand the remainder o the slittedpartof the metalfabric in a manner corresponding to the action of'dies F Fby bending the same down, as appears from side view Fig. 10, andcross-section Fig. 9. Here itwillbc seen that the slitted part of themetal has expanded until it assumes in cross-section a substantiallytrough-shaped form having substantially the outline of a V, wherein theside connecting portions a, as well as the end portions a. are in planessubstantially parallel with the unslitted portion of the fabric. Theoperation of expanding the slitted portions is then complete and thefabric is ready for use in such condition if desired, or may have theexpanded portion pressed up to the plane of the unslitted portion. Forthe purpose of forcing the previouslfy full?1 expanded slitted parts ofthe sheet rom t e several planes into which they have been forced byexpanding the same, to one general and substantially the same plane,- aseries of pressing dies are em loyed which successively press the saidslitted and ex anded metal into the plane of the unslitte portion, andthe space required for the expanded metal so forced into said plane isproduced byforming the unslitted metal into longitudinal ribs.

After leaving the 'final expanding dies illustrated in Fig. 9, thefabric is in crosssection, as illustrated in said .Fig. 9 and side viewas illustrated in Fig. 10. This fabric is then passed to the rollsillustrated in Fig. 12, where a series of ressing rolls H en age theapex of the shaped expandeg metal, and .force the same toward the planeof the unexpanded portion. During this operation the metal which wouldotherwise produce a bul e in the fabric is taken care of by dies H Thedie H has a die face h which enters the bead a in the fabric and forcesthe same into a correspondingly-shaped female die face in the die H Thesaid dies are deeper than the dies (Z d, and accordingl deepen the rib.At the same time dies T 1 age .the intermediate unslitted portions 0.the fabric between the expanded portions, and form shallow grooves atherein, as seen in Fig. 12. After leavin the rolls of Fig. 12 the metalfabric is gui ed to the next succeeding rolls by outside guides H (Fig.26) which receive the rib h in the fabric, and by'center guides 1 :Whichreceive the rib i in the fabric, 'andserve -to guide the same and centerthe .same for the followin rolls.

From the' rolls of Fi 12 the fa ric so" guided passes to the ro is .ofFig. 13, where presser rolls 7' serve to further force the fabric towardthe plane of the unslitted parts, and the surplus metal here is takenup'as'in Fig. 12-by rolls J J, which deepen the rib as seen at j, and bycenter rolls K K which deepen the rib formed by rolls I I in theintermediate unslitted portions of the fabric. From these rolls thefabric is guided to the next succeeding rolls by guides J K which areillustrated in Fi 27, and which guide the fabric to the rolTs of Fig.14, where presser dies Nstill further press the slitted portion towardthe plane of the unslitted portion, and where the space required forthis urpose is produced by ribs L L, M M, w 'ch in such action servestill further to deepen the ribs l and the center ribs m of the fabric.In the rolls L L the outside ribs l are finished, whereas the ribs m areat the proper de th but are wider than is desired. Guides 2 M (Fig. 28)then guide the fabric to the rolls illustrated in Fig. 15, where presserrolls N press the expanded portion of the fabric to substantially'theplane of the unslitted portion and in which are illustrated male andfemale rolls 0 O which are the size of rolls L L and enter the ribs 0.Center rolls O shape the center ribs to final form.

The guides V illustrated in Figs. 24 and 25 are mounted upon angle ironsV which are supported u on the side of frames t. The guides H, J, K, L,M, are similarly supported and all of these guides are made adjustableby means of set screws X, which pass through slots- :2: in the extendedbases of the said guides, and engage in the tops of the angle irons V.This adjustabi 'ty is to permit the guides to receive various sizes ofexpanded metal. After the fabric has passed through the rolls of Fig. 15it may, if desired, be widened. This is accomplished by passing the ribsP through guiding channels 1' in guides B (Fig. 23). These guides Rdiverge toward the end of the machine, as seen in Fig. 22, and lie inthe plane of movement of the fabric, and the ribs being held tightly inthe said channels r by reason of stationary presser bars W .W which aresituated relatively, toguiding channels 1' and are located one in eachof the outer guides R, where they are held by brackets 1.0. By means ofsaid guides the fabric-is widened and the expanded part thereof isstretched. The guides R are mounted upon a support R secured to bed '1,and are adjustable thereon by slotted brackets 1' through which assscrews 1' tapped into a fixed part 0 the machine. The fabric then passesbetween the rolls S S (Fi 16), which are providedwithdies upon eirsurfaces conforming to the ribs P.' The fabricvemerges from betweenthese rolls in the sha e in cross-section illustrated in Fig. 18, anhaving the outline of expanded figures indicated in Fig. 17.

The machine as illustrated in Figs. 19, 20 comprises a bed portion "Tconveniently supported upon legs 6 and having frames if within which aresupported blocks in.

which the upper rolls' are journaled and wherein they may be adjusted bythreaded pcmts t. The lower roll is revolved from a longitudinal worm;vU,'.having a driving pul eyIU which en agesa worm gear it upon the shaftu o each lower roll, and gears '10 to connect. the lower and upper rollsin each pair, so that "all the rolls are re- ,volved in unison. Keys itconnect the lower rolls to their shafts u and corresponding keys connectthe upper rolls in the same manner. In Figs. 1 to 11 we have illustratedthe parts full size, whereas in Figs. 12-18 they are about half thissize, and Figs. 19 to 28 are not drawnto particular scale.

In the machine as constructed the slitted metal is expanded by asuccession of progremive bending operations which are illustrated asengaging the outer rows of slitted metal on each side of the slittedpart and progressing toward thecenter. This is due to the fact that inthe particular machines used the burs upon the edges of the slits werebest adapted to this treatment. It is not, however, essential to thesuccessful expansion of the slitted part that the bending operationsshould begin upon the outer side of the slitted part. The expanded metalcould as well be produced by bending operationswhich begin at thecentral part of the slitted part and progressively engage additionalslitted parts toward the outer rows, which would be the last depressed.In case the method should be employed in this manner the parts of thesheet which are not being expanded should be firmly held.

The machine described is useful in the employment of our method, but itis not essential thereto. The finished, expanded metal fabric producedby the foregoing method and process is illustrated in end view 1n Fig.18 and plan view in Fig. 17. It is com osed, as there shown, oflongitudinal ribs between which the metal is ex panded. Each expandedpart of the fabric is composed of two portions Y Y and the plane of theframes composing the figures in each row of figures in the said ortionsY Y, are at an angle to each ot er; for instance, the lane of the metalcomposin the frame 0 figures Y, Y, if extende would meet the plane ofthe frame composmg the figures Y, a distance above the bar a whichdivides the rolls of figures from each other. Therefore, while we havedescribed with great particularity the particular construction of diesemployed therein and their number, we have done so in order that a clearcomprehension of the process as employed in said machine might beobtained, and not because said precise shape, 55 number or succession ofdies was essential.

Changes may be made in the particular steps as above set forth, withinthe limits of the appended claims, without departing from our invention.

We claim as our invention 2- 1. The process of expanding a sheet ofmetal, wherein a slitted portion is bounded on each side by an integralunslittedportion, which consists in holding said un- 65 slitted partsagainst sidewise movement, ind

opening out each slitted portion while so held by successive displacingoperations each such operation opening out a part oi the unexpandedslitted portion.

2. The process of expanding a sheet of metal, wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by an integral unslitted portion, which consistsin opening out each slitted portion by successive disp acing operations,each such operation opening out a )art of the unexpanded slittedportion, and in holding the sheet against lateral movement on each sideof the portion being opened out, during such operation.

3. The process of expanding a sheet of metal, wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by an integral unslitted portion, which consistsin holding said sheet against sidewise movement adjacent the part beinexpanded, and opening each slitted portion'while so held by successivedisplacing operations, each such operation opening out a part of theunexpanded slitted portion next that already opened out.

4. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by an integral unslitted portion, which consistsin holding said sheet against sidewise movement, and opening out eachslitted portion while so held by successive displacing operationsbeginnin at the outer edges of the slitted portion an progressing towardthe center, each such operation opening out a part of the unexpandedslitted portion.

5. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by an inte ral unslitted portion, which consistsin holding said sheet against sidewise movement, and o ening out eachslitted portion while so he (1 by successive displacing operations, eachsuch operation opening out a part of the unexpanded slitted portion, andthe first displacing operation opening out the outer edges of theslitted portion; the next displacing operation opening out an additionalpart of the slitted portion on each side next that already opened outand the last displacing operation openin out the intermediate slittedpart of the sheet.

6. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by an integral unslitted portion, which consistsin holdin said sheet against sidewise movement, an opening out eachslitted portion while so held b successive displacing operations, eachsuc o eration opening out a part of the unexpan ed slitted portion,thefirst operation openin out the outer row of figures formed by saislits on each side of the slitted arts and each subsequent displacingoperation opening out a row of said figures next those alreadyv openedout.

7. The process of expanding a sheet of metal, wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by an inte a1 unslitted portion, which consistsin fi oldin said sheet against sidewise movement and subjecting saidsheet while so held to a series of rollin operations which successivelydi lace an open out said slitted portion, eac of said rolling o erationsopening out a part of the unex an ed slitted ortion.

8. he process 0' expanding a sheetof metal wherein a slitted portion isbounded on each side by an integral unslitted portion, which consists inholding said unslitted parts against transverse movement and exandingeach slitted portion while so held y successive bending operations, eachsuch operation expanding a part of the unexpanded slitted portion.

9. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionhas longitudinal and transverse cuts therein and is bounded on each sideby an integral unslitted portion, which consists in holding saidunslitted parts against sidewise movement and o ening out each slittedportion while so helg by successive displacing operations each suchoperation opening out a part of the unexpanded slitted portion.

10. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionhas longitudinal and transverse cuts therein and is bounded on each sideby an integral unslitted portion which consists in holding the unslittedparts against sidewise movement and opening out the slitted parts oneach side next the unslitted parts by displacing the Y intermediateslitted parts and in then opening out the remainder of the slittedportion in the same way while the sheet is similarly held, so that theslitted part when fully opened out has a trough shape.

11. The process of expanding a sheet of metal having unslitted portionsbounding each side of a slitted portion, said slitted portion havinglongitudinal slits and transverse slits, whereby rows of symmetricalfigures are produced connected at their sides and disconnected at theirends, which consists in passing said slitted metal between dies whereina ortion only of said slitted part is expanded by pressure appliedthereto and in holding sald unslitted parts against lateral movementduring such process, and in then successively expanding additional rowsof figures adjacent to those already expanded while the said unslittedparts are similarly held until the entire slitted part of said fabric isexpanded.

12. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a s itted portionhas a succession of longitudinal cuts therein staggered with relation toeach other and transverse cuts at intervals, and is bounded on each sideby an integral unslitted portion which unslitted portion,

consists in holding1 said sheet against sidewise movement an opening outeach slitted portion while so held by successive displacmg operationsbeginning at the outer rows on each side of the slitted portion andprogressing inwardly, each such operation opening out a part of theunexpanded slitted portion.

13. The process of expanding a sheet of metal having unslitted portionsboundin each side of a slitted portion, said slitte portionhaving asuccession of longitudinal cuts therein, staggered with relation to eachother, and transverse cuts at intervals, which consists in holdingagainst transverse movement on each side of a slitted part, while a rowof slit-ted figures is expanded by being bent between rollers andexpanding adjacent rows by succeeding rollers while the fabric issimilarly held until the slitted portion of said fabric is fullyexpanded.

14. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionhas longitudinal and transverse cuts therein and is bounded on each sideby an integral unslitted portion, which consists in holding saidunslitted parts against sidewise movement and opening out each slittedportion while so held by successive displacing operations, each suchoperation opening out a art of the unexpanded slitted portlon, and mthen pressing said expanded metal to the plane of the unslitted portionof the sheet.

15. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionhas longitudinal slits and transverse connecting slits whereby rows ofsymmetrical figures are produced connected at their sides anddisconnected at their ends, which slitted portion is bounded on eachside by an integral which process consists in expanding said slittedportion by successive pressing operations, the first pressing operationope'ningout a row of slitted figures and succeeding pressing o erationsopening out additional rows of sits adjacent those already opened outuntil the entire slitted portion is expanded, and in then pi'essing saidexpanded portion to a uniform ane.

p 16. The process of producing a sheet of metal wherein a slittedportion is bounded on each side by an integral unslitted portion, whichconsists in holding the sheet against sidewise movement and opening outeach slitted portion while so held by successive bending operations,each such bending operation opening out a part of the unex anded slittedportion, whereby said slitted portion is'expanded out of the plane ofsaid unslitted portion, and in then pressing said expanded portion to auniform plane.

17. The process of producing a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side'by an integral unslitted pormisses tion, whichconsists in holding the sheet against sidewise movement and opening outeach slitted portion while so held by successive bending ope ations,each such bending operation opening out a part of the unexpanded slittedportion, whereby said slitted portion is expanded out of the plane ofsaid unslitted portion, andin then pressing said slitted portion to theplane of said unslitted portion by a succession of progressivelyincreasing pressing operations.

18. The process of producing a sheet of metal expanded at intervalswhich consists in slitting the metal, in expanding the slitted part bysuccessive bendings each bending engagin an unexpanded slitted portion,where y said slitted portion is expanded out of the plane of saidunslitted portion, and in then pressing said slitted portion to theplane of said unslitted portion by a suceession of progressivelyincreasing pressing operations, and simultaneously forming longitudinalribs in said unslitted portion by a succession of progressivelydeepening bending operations.

19. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by an integral unslitted por tion, whichconsists in holding said sheet against sidewise movement and opening outeach slitted portion While so held by successive displacing operations,each such operation opening out a part of the unexpanded slitted portionand the first displacing operation opening out part of the slittedportion at each side next the unslitted portion, and successiveoperations opening out the intermediate slitted portions adjacent thosealready opened out and in then pressing said slitted portion to theplane of the unslitted portion.

20. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by an integral unslitted portion, which consistsin holding said sheet against sidewise movement and opening out eachslitted portion while so held by successive displacing operations, eachsuch operation opening out a part of the unexpanded slitted portion andthe first displacing operation opening out part of the slitted portionat each side next the unslitted portion, and successive operationsopening out the intermediate slitted portions adjacent those alreadyopened out and in then pressing said slitted portion to the plane of theunslitted portion by a succession of progressively increasing pressingoperations.

21. The process of producing sheet metal expanded at intervals,comprising expanding the slitted metal while holding the sheet by asuccession of progressive bending operations, whereby said slittedportion is expanded out of the plane of said unslitted portion, and inthen pressing said slitted portion to the plane of said unslittedportion by a succession of progressively 1ncreasing pressing operations,and simulta neously forming longitudinal ribs in said unslitted portionby a succession of progressively deepening bending operations.

22. The process of expanding a sheet of metal at intervals whichconsists in slitting portions of the metal, in holding the sheet andexpanding the slitted portions by a suc- ('ession of bending operations,progressively engaging and bending additional slitted portions, wherebysaid slitted portion is expanded out of the plane of said unslittedportion, and in then pressing said slitted portion to the plane of saidunslitted portion, by a succession of progressively increasing pressingoperations, and simultaneously forming longitudinal ribs in saidunslitted portion by a succession of progressively deepening bendingoperations.

23. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by an inte ral unslitted ortion, which. consistsin iolding said s cc: against sidewise movement, and opening out eachslitted portion while so held by successive displacing operations, eachsuch operation opening out a part of the unexpanded slitted portion, thefirst operation opening out the outer row of figures formed by saidslits on each side of the slitted parts, and each subsequent displacingoperation opening out a row of said figures next those already openedout. and in then pressing said slitted portion to the plane of saidunslitted portion.

24. The process of expanding a sheet of metal wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by an integral unslitted portion, which consistsin holding said sheet against sidewise movement, and opening out eachslitted portion while so held by successive displacing operations, eachsuch operation opening out a part of the unexpanded slitted portion, thefirst operation opening out the outer row of figures formed by saidslits on each side of the slitted parts, and each subsequent displacingoperation openmg already opened out, and in then pressing said slittedportion to the plane of said unslitted portion, by a succession ofprogressively increasing pressing operations.

25. The process of expanding a sheet of metal at intervals whichconsists in slitting said sheet and in expanding a row of said slittedpart by a bending operation while the sheet is held, and in subsequentlyexpanding an additional row on each side by later bending operations,while said sheet is similarly held, whereby said slitted portion isexpanded out of the plane of said unslitted portion, and in thenpressing said slitted portion to the plane of said unslitted porout arow of said figures next those tion, by a succession of progressivelyincreasing tpressing operations, and'simultaneously orming longitudinalribs in said unslitted portion by a succession of progressivelydeepening bending operations.

26. The process of producing expanded sheet metal, which consists inslitting the metal at intervals, in then holding the unslitted partsagainst transverse movement, and expanding the slitted parts by pressingthem out of their normal plane b a. series of bending operations,successive engaging additional slitted and unexpan ed metal whereby saidslitted portion is expanded out of the plane of sald unslitted portion,and in then ressing said slitted portion to the plane of said unslittedportion by a succession of progressively increasin pressing operations,and simultaneously orming longitudinal ribs in said unslitted portion bya succession of progressively deepening bendin operations.

27. he prbcess of expanding sheet metal which consists in forming aseries of slits therein at intervals, in then holding the unslitted partthereof and de ressing the slitted part by a succession 0 progressivebending operations which successively expand additional slittedportions, whereby said slitted portion is expanded out of the plane ofsaid unslitted portion, and in then pressing said slitted portion to theplane of said unslitted portion by a succession of progressivelyincreasing pressing operations, and simultaneously formin longitudinalribs in said unslitted portion lay a succession of progressivelydeepening bending operations.

28. The process of producing ribbed expanded sheet metal, which consistsin slitting the metal at intervals by forming a succemion oflongitudinal cuts therein, staggered with relation to each other, andtransverse cuts'at intervals, in then holding the fabric againsttransverse movement on each side of a slitted art, while a row ofslitted figures is expan' ed by being bent be tween rollers andexpanding adjacent rows by succeedin rollers while the fabric issimilarly held until the slitted portion of said fabric is fullyexpanded, whereby said slitted portion isexpanded out of the plane ofsaid unslitted portion, and in then pressing said slitted portion to theplane of said unslitted portion. Y Y

-29. The process ofproducing ribbed expanded sheet metal, which-consistsin slitting the-metal at intervals by forming a succession oflongitudinal cuts therein, staggered with relation toeaeh other, andtransverse cuts at intervals, in then holding the fabrics againsttransverse movement on each side of a slitted part, while a row'ofslitted figures is expanded by being bent between rollers and expandingadjacent-rows by succeeding rollers while the fabric is similarly heluntil the slitted portion of said fabric is fully expanded, whereby saidslitted portion is expanded out of the plane of said unslitted portion,and in then ressing said slitted portion to the plane 0 said unslittedportion by a succession of progressively increasing pressing operations.

30. The process of producing ribbed expanded sheet metal, which consistsin slitting the metal at intervals by forming a succession oflongitudinal cuts therein, staggered with relation to each other, andtransverse cuts at intervals, in then holding the fabric againsttransverse movement on each side 0 a slitted part, while a row ofslitted figures is expanded by being bent between rollers and expandingadjacent rows by succeeding rollers while the fabric is similarly helduntil the slitted portion of said fabric is fully expanded, whereby saidslitted portion is expanded out of the plane'of said unslitted portion,and in then pressing said slitted portion to the plane of said unslittedportion by a succession of progressively increasing pressing operations,and simultaneousl forming longitudinal ribs in said unslitted portion bya succession of progressively deepening bending operations.

31. The process of expanding a sheet of metal, which is slitted atintervals and which has intervenin unslitted portions, which consists inben ing a portion of the slitted part out of its normal plane and inthen similarly treating the slitted portions next adjacent on each sideto that already expanded and in repeating this operation until theexpanding is completed.

32. The rocess of expanding a sheet of metal, whlch is slitted atintervals and which has intervenin unslitted portions, which consists inben ing a portion of the slitted part out of its normal plane and inthen similarly treating the slitted portions next adjacent on each sideto that already expanded and in repeating this operation until theexpanding is completed, and in then pressin the said expanded portion toits normal p ane by a succession of progressively increasing bendingoperations.

33. The process of expanding a sheet of metal, wherein a slitted portionis bounded on each side by integral unslitted portions, which consistsin opening out each slitted portion by successive displacing operationseach such operation bending a portion of the unexpanded slitted partout, of its normal plane and in then similarly treating the slittedportions next adjacent on each side to that already expanded and inrepeating thisioperation until the expanding is completed, and inguiding the fabric between said successive bending operations wherebyits registeris assured.

34. 'lhe'process of expanding a sheet of operation until the expandingis completed,

and in holding the said fabric against lateral movement during each ofsaid bending operations.

35. The process of producing ribbed, expanded sheet metal, which consitsin slitting the metal at intervals by forming a suc- 'cession oflongitudinal cuts therein, staggered with relation to each other, andtransverse cuts at intervals, in then passing the said fabric between aseries of successive dies wherein the fabric is held against transversemovement on each side of a slitted part, while a row. of slitted figuresis expanded by being bent between said dies, and said operations arerepeated in succeeding dies, with adjacent rows until the slittedportion of said fabric is fully expanded.

36. The process of pr iducing ribbed, expanded sheet metal, whichconsists in slitting the metal at intervals by forming a succession oflongitudinal cuts therein, staggered with relation to each other, andtransverse cuts at intervals, in then passing the said fabric between aseries of succesmetal sheet so as to form bands of unslitted'metalalternating with bands of slitted metal, the slits being arranged inparallel rows wherein the slits of one row break joint with the slits ofthe next adjacent row, displacing alternate unslitted bands withrelation to the general plane of the sheet and thereby opening out theslitted portions, and bending the metal at the margins of the displacedbands to bring the slitted por-- tions into a common plane.

38. The process of manufacturing expanded metal which consists inslittin a metal sheet so as to. form bands of uns itted metalalternating with bands of slitted metal, the slits being arranged inparallel rows wherein the slits of one row break joint with the slits ofthe next ad'acent row, displacing alternate unslitted ands with relationto the general plane of the sheet and thereby opening out the slittedportions, bending the metal at the margins of the displaced bands tobring the slitted portions into a common plane, and simultaneouslyforming the other unslitted hands into ribs.

39. The process of manufacturing expanded metal which consists inslitting a metal sheet so as to form bands of unslitted metalalternating with bands of slitted metal, .the bands of unslitted metalcomprising wide bands and a narrower band between each two wide bands,the slits being arranged in parallel rows wherein the slits of one rowbreak joint with the slits of the next adjacent row, displacin thenarrow bands with relation to the initial plane of the sheet and therebyopening out the slitted portions, and bendin the metal at the margins ofthe narrow displaced bands to bring the slitted portions into a commonplane.

40. The process of manufacturin expanded metal which consists inslitting a metal sheet so as to form bands of unslitted metalalternating with bands of slitted metal, the slits being arranged inparallel rows whereby the slits of one row break joint with the slits ofthe next adjacent row, displacing alternate unslitted bands with respectto the general plane of the sheet and thereby opening out the slittedportions, this displacement being effected step by step, and the firststep being the opening out of the strands of metal between the first,sec- 0nd and third rows of slits next to the respective unslittedportions remaining in said general plane. J

41. The process of manufacturing expanded metal which consists inslitting a metal sheet so as to form bands of unslitted metalalternating with-bands of slitted metal, each band of slitted metalcomprising an uneven number of parallel rows of slits wherein the slitsof one row break joint with the slits of the next adjacent row, some ofthe bands of unslitted metal being wide and the unslitted bands betweensuch wide bands being narrow, and the slitted bands on each side of saidnarrow bands having the same number of rows of slits, displacing thenarrow bands out of the plane of the sheet step by step by first openingout the strands of metal between the first, second and third rows ofslits nearest the wide bands, then opening out the strands between thethird, fourth and fifth rows of'slits, then opening out the strandsbetween the fifth, sixth and seventh rows of slits, and then bending themetal along the margins of said narrow bands to bring the slittedportions into a common plane.

42. The process of manufacturing .ex-

ioo

panded metal which consists in slitting a metal sheet so as to formbands of unslitted metal alternating with bands of slitted metal, eachband of slitted metal comprising an uneven number of parallel rows ofslits wherein the slits of one row break joint with the slits of thenext adjacent row, some of the bands of unslitted metal being Wide andthe unslitted bands between such wide bands being narrow and the slittedbands on each side of said narrow bands having the same number of rowsof slits, displacing the narrow hands out of. the plane of the sheetstep by step by first opening out the strands of metal between thefirst,second and third rows-of slits nearest the wide bands, then opening outthe strands between the third, fourth and fifth rows of slits, thenopening out the strands between the fifth, sixth and seventh rows ofslits, then bending the metal along the margins of said narrow bands tobring the slitted portions into a common plane, and forming the widebands into ribs simultaneously with said last-mentioned bending.

43. The process of expanding a sheet of metal having integral slittedand unslitted portions, which consists in first slitting all saidportions to be expanded, in their opening out each slitted portion bysuccessive displacing operations, each such 'operati on opening out apart of the unexpanded slit ted portion, and in holding the sheetagainst ing legnthwise of said sheet, there being an uneven number ofrows of slits in each band and the slits of each row of a band breakingjoint with the slits'of adjacent rows, and opening out" each bandbysuccessive steps, each step consisting in openingout the strands betweenthree adjacent rows of slits.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto signed our names in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

JOHN E. DODSON. GEQBG'MERKEL.

Witnesses: I

CHAS. J. 'ELLSWORTH, Eow. C. REDHEAD.

